Marriott To Open Courtyard In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Courtyard by Marriott is rolling out its new lobby and room design in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is the first Courtyard in the area featuring the “refreshing business” makeover. For its contributions in making the environment a healthier place by reducing waste, conserving energy and water, the hotel is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver designed and is a prototype for future Courtyard hotels. The 124-room Courtyard Pittsburgh Settlers Ridge/Robinson Township is scheduled to open this Tuesday, September 28, 2010. Located at 5100 Campbells Run Road, the hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises of Raleigh, NC (www.concordhotels.com).

Centrally located off I-376 at the Settlers Ridge Complex, eight miles from the Pittsburgh International Airport and 10 minutes from downtown, the Courtyard Pittsburgh Settlers Ridge/Robinson Township offers guests convenient access to Heinz Field, PNC Park, Robert Morris University, Robert Morris Island Sports Center, IKEA and a wide variety of shopping and dining.

Courtyard by Marriott was the first lodging brand exclusively designed for business travel by business travelers. And now it has completely redefined the hotel lobby experience. This Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) “power brand” is fast-tracking its lobby makeover. The rest of the world is also getting a chance to experience the new lobby by visiting www.gocourtyard.com – a highly interactive website.

“From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to what business travelers want from a hotel,” said Janis Milham, vice president, Global Brand Manager, Courtyard by Marriott. “Guests want more control and choice with services and amenities that create a healthy balance between working and relaxing. We redefined the Courtyard lobby so it invites guests to get out of their rooms to work, socialize or for entertainment, whether traveling alone or with colleagues.”

The open, bright and contemporary new Courtyard hotel lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting colors, including blue, green, orange and red. The traditional front desk is replaced with separate welcome pedestals to create more personal and private interactions when guests check in. This will allow staff to move about to show guests the lobby features and provide assistance. Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.

A signature element of the new lobby is the exclusive GoBoard® technology, a 57-inch LCD touch screen packed with local information, maps, weather, and news, business and sports headlines. Guests can navigate using the touch screen to find restaurants, local attractions and directions, as well as check on flight status at the airport.

In public spaces of the hotel, guests can connect to free WiFi along with ample electrical outlets throughout the lobby to power digital devices. The enlarged business library features several complimentary computer terminals along with a free printer and separate computer stations dedicated to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

Dining has been completely redesigned with The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect. The Bistro offers casual, flexible seating, easier access to food and higher quality, healthier menu options for breakfast, and light evening fare, including snacks, wine and beer so guests can unwind. The MarketTM, a 24/7 shop for snacks, beverages and sundries, is always open for late-night cravings or the toothpaste you forgot to pack.

The five-story hotel features The Bistro restaurant serving breakfast, dinner and evening cocktails as well as Starbuck’s coffee, an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, guest laundry and business center. The hotel also offers 900 square feet of meeting space to accommodate small meetings and functions of up to 75 people.

Courtyard by Marriott offers a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced. Intuitive services and design accommodate guests’ needs for choice and control. With more than 860 locations in 30 countries, Courtyard is Marriott’s largest brand. All Courtyard by Marriott hotels participate in the award-winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, including guest guided video tours of the new lobby and the latest brand information, visit www.gocourtyard.com. For reservations, go to www.courtyardsettlersridge.com or contact a travel professional.